The £4.1bn airport in a stunning country that’s been named the world’s most relaxing | World | News
An epic travel hub that’s one of the biggest in East Asia has been named as the most relaxing airport in the world.
Incheon International Airport, in Incheon, South Korea, first opened in 2001 at an estimated cost of $5billion (around £4.1bn).
Four phases of construction followed in the succeeding years, with further investment and expansions to the site.
The airport‘s Phase 4 expansion, which aimed to elevate it to the top three global mega hubs for travel, was completed late last year, significantly expanding its already sizeable passenger capacity.
These works, launched in 2017, added a fourth runway and 75 aprons along as well as expanding Terminal 2. Phase four involved a total investment of KRW 4.8 trillion (some £2.7bn), the airport said in a press release on its website.
It’s now said to be able to serve 106 million annually, up from 77 million, as it looks to challenge the likes of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in the US and Dubai International Airport.
But despite being among the busiest in the world, Incheon Airport is said to be a great place to unwind before a flight.
Online game site Solitaired named it the most relaxing airport to wait in anywhere. The study looked at data from Skytrax, Google Reviews, and multiple travel articles for over 400 airports.
Airports were then given a relaxation rating on a scale of 0 to 100, considering factors such as walking distance, terminal comfort, what terminal facilities are on offer, dining, and shopping.
Incheon Airport came out on top, just ahead of Singapore Changi Airport, with an overall Relaxation Rating of 92.93.
According to Solitaired: “From various options like cosmetics and fashion in Terminal 1 to convenience stores and a bookstore in Terminal 2, there are many choices to keep travellers occupied while waiting for their flight” at the international hub.
According to the airport operations procurement portal airport-suppliers.com, the airport has a golf course nearby, as well as a spa, an ice rink, and even private sleeping rooms.
Those arriving at the airport with a few hours to spare can also enjoy its indoor gardens and video game center or peruse the exhibits at the Museum of Korean Culture.
According to the website, the airport replaced the older Gimpo International Airport, which now operates domestic flights and shuttle flights to several East Asian metropolitan areas.
The sprawling site is located west of Incheon’s city centre and is built on an artificially created piece of land between two islands, Yeongjong and Yongyu, between which a strip of the shallow sea had formerly run.
This strip was reclaimed for the construction project, which effectively connected the two islands, the website says.
South Korea is becoming an increasingly popular destination, helped by the booming success of Korean cultural exports in the West.
According to travel site Trailfinders, the country is “criminally underrated” as a travel destination. It has multiple flight options from the UK and Ireland. The country’s high-speed rail network makes its stunning areas of natural beauty easy to access, as well as its “distinctive seasons and affordable accommodation.”
